ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, on a 12-count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering involving about N33.8 billion.
Justice James Omotosho, while delivering judgment on Thursday, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, proved its case against the former minister beyond reasonable doubt.
The court found Mamman guilty of illegally diverting public funds during his time under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the former minister made a cash payment of $655,700, equivalent to about N200 million, for a property in Abuja without passing through any financial institution.
The court also held him guilty of criminal breach of trust linked to funds released by the Federal Government for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power projects.
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According to the judge, most of the diverted funds were routed through Bureau de Change operators, who converted the money into foreign currencies before handing it over to the defendant.
“The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming as against the scanty and almost absent defence of the defendant,” the judge said.
“The defendant did not offer any credible evidence to rebut the prosecution’s case.”
Justice Omotosho further criticised Mamman’s stewardship as minister, lamenting that he failed to make any meaningful impact on Nigeria’s electricity sector despite occupying a strategic office.
“Rather than creating a legacy to tackle the epileptic power supply in the country, the defendant was living large at the expense of ordinary citizens,” the judge stated.
“Little wonder Nigerians have remained in darkness till today.”
Mamman was absent from court when the judgment was delivered.
His lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, told the court that the former minister’s whereabouts had remained unknown since last Tuesday when notice of the judgment date was issued.
Ahmed said Mamman’s personal assistant later informed him that the ex-minister was ill and urged the court to postpone the judgment.
However, the court rejected the request.
Justice Omotosho referenced reports that Mamman had recently remained active politically and had even purchased a governorship nomination form to contest the Taraba State governorship election.
Counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to proceed with the matter, insisting there was no justification for the defendant’s absence.
“My Lord should go ahead. If the judgment is in his favour, we know what to do. If it is against him, we also know what to do,” Oyedepo said.
Following the conviction, the court deferred sentencing and granted the EFCC’s request for a warrant of arrest against the former minister.
Justice Omotosho subsequently fixed May 13, 2026, for sentencing.
Mamman was arrested in 2021, about four months after he was removed from office by former President Buhari.
During the trial, the EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits before closing its case.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Mamman conspired with ministry officials to divert about N22 billion meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydroelectric Power projects.
According to the commission, investigations showed that the diverted funds were used to acquire luxury assets within and outside Nigeria.